Arrangement in the distant control of typewriters



June 30, 1953 s. E- STALBECKER ETAL 2,644,033

ARRANGEMENT IN THE DISTANT CONTROL OF TYPEWRITERS Filed Dec. 5, 1950 ATTORNEY Patented June 30, 1953 UNITED eATENT. OFFICE ARRANGEMENT IN THE DISTANT CONTROL OF TYPEWRITERS Application December 5, 1950, Serial No. 199,192 In Sweden November 17, 1950 12 Claims.

The present invention refers to an electrically operated typewriter provided with a keyboard or the like for the actuation of a number of contacts for selective electrical operation of a number of electromagnetic operating-selecting-members, which are divided into two groups, each selecting member of the two groups being adapted to adjust a mechanical selecting device cooperating with all of the selecting devices adjustable by the selecting members of the other group, in a manner such that, when a selecting member of each group is actuated, the corresponding two mechanical selecting devices are adapted by mutual cooperation to release a movement of an operating-member of a number of operating members equal to the product of the number of selecting members in each group. The invention forms a modification of the coordinate selectordescribed in our copending patent application No. 189,374 filed October 10, 1950 with reference to Fig. 3. The novel modification will be described hereinbelow with reference to the annexed drawing, which by way of a diagrammatic representation, partly in perspective and with parts removed to enhance the survey, illustrate a coordinate selector according to the invention with the electromagnetic operatingselecting-members and with the contactors with appurtenant circuits pertaining thereto.

In this modification, the typewriter types will be actuated for their movement from an electromagnetic armature, which is actuated over relay contrivances at the depression of the key corresponding to the typewriter type.

The movement from the electromagnet to the types is obtained by means of the following means. Secured to the armature ll of the electromagnet 70, which is movable in a direction designated here as the Z -direction, is an actuating member in the form of a plate 12, the plane of which ex tends at right angles to the Z-direction. This plate 12 is in the present example provided with two rows of apertures E3 with seven apertures in each row. 'A group of selecting devices in the form of a number of parallel plates 1 are arranged above the plate l2 atright angles to the latter, there being one plate for each pair of apertures T3, consequently seven plates in the case in consideration. These plates 'M are movable in their own plane in two directions, i. e. the Z- direction and a direction, the X-direction, at right angles thereto. Provided in the edge of the plates M directed toward theplate 12 are two catches 15 in each plate 74, said catches having a size and position such that, when the plate I4 is moved in the Z-direction, the catches l5 can pass unobstructed through the apertures 13. The catches 15 are extended through the apertures 13 and turned in the X-direction, so that a plate F4, when moved in the X-direction, will hook itself with the catches it onto the plate '82 so as-to be entrained in the movement of the latter. At the edge located opposite the edge with the catches 15, the plates it are bent over to form a return bend l5, so that the extreme edge is directed downwardly in the drawing. With this bent-over edge it, a number of operating members in the form of hooks ll on each plate '74 are adapted to be brought into engagement one at a time, the present example comprising sevenhooks H in seven rows, that is to say, 49 books altogether. These hooks are pivotally suspended and movable in the Z-direction in a stationary'holder member or plate 78 parallelling the plate 12 and constituting a part of the 7 frame of the movable mechanism. Underneath the plate 8, a number of parallel bars 79 are arranged movable in a direction at right angles to the X-direction, said former direction being here designated as the Y-direction.

The bars were provided with apertures 89, throughwhich the shaft portions of the hooks ll pass freely. Seven bars 79 are arranged side by side, and each bar has seven apertures 80 provided'therein, through-which the hooks ll are extended. At the movement of a bar it, seven hooks Tl will consequently be entrained in the movement 50 as to be brought into engagement with or to be released each from a bent-over edge 18 of the plates 14. Arranged in each hook T5 is a, cable 8! extended over a guide roller 82 to the end of a type lever 83 adapted in the ordinary manner to strike against a platen 84.

A type lever receives its movement by means of the mechanism above described, in the following manner. A plate M is moved into a position such that the catches 15 thereof are prepared for an engagement with the apertures of the plate 72, a bar '49 being moved into a position such that one of the hooks ll thereof engages the bentover edge 16 of the plate M. When the electromagnet I9 is supplied with electric current, it is caused to attract its armature, so that the plate 12 will be entrained, thus pulling the plate H3 and the hook ll therein along in the 'movement, a corresponding cable 8! being thus caused 7 to operate its type lever 83.

The plates 14 and the bars l9 receive their movements from electromagnets, which are in turn connected into the circuit by means of contacts actuated by the typewriter keys. This takes place in the following manner.

Each plate '14 is operated by. an electromagnet 85 which, when supplied with current, move the plate Hi in the X-direction against the influence of a diagrammatically represented spring 8'6. Each bar 79 is operated by an electromagnet 8'! which, when supplied with current, attracts the bar in the Y-direction against the influence of a diagrammatically represented spring 88. In this example, the electromagnets are seven in number for the X-direction and seven in numher for the Y-direction. For the sake of clearness, only one of each kind is shown in the drawing. These electromagnets receive current'from contacts operated from the typewriter keys, only one of which, 89, is shown for the sake of clear-, ness. Each key provides for the supply of current to two electromagnets, one in the X-direction and one in the Y-direction. The key 89, when depressed, thus causes three contacts 99, 9! and 92 to make contact with acommon-contact piece 93 connected, for .instance, to the negative pole .95 of a'source of current. When the contact 99 makes contact with the contact piece 93, a circuit will be closed through the winding of the electromagnet 81 to a microswitch 95, which is closed in its position of rest, and over this micro-switch to the plus-pole 96 of said source of current. When contacting the contact piece 93 the contact 9| closes a circuit through the winding of the electromagnet 85 to the micro-switch 95 and over the latter to the plus-pole 96 of the source of current.

When the electromagnets 235 and 9! receive current, they also attract the spring-actuated armature of a relay provided for each of them, the armature actuated by the electromagnet 85 being denoted by 91 and the armature actuated by the electromagnet 8'! by 98. These armatures each actuate two pairs of contacts, the armature 9? acting upon a contact pair comprising the contacts 99 and i136 and a contact pair comprising the contacts IN and H22, while the armature 9B actuates a contact pair comprising the contacts 193 and I99 and a contact pair comprising the contacts 105 and me. When closed, the pairs of contacts 99-409 and |93l04 cause the type-actuating magnet E to'be supplied with current, which is effected by the contact I94 being connected by means of a conductor to the minus-pole 94 of the source of current, by the contact I93 being connected by means of a conductor to the contact 99, and by the contact 1983 being connected .by means of a conductor to one end of the winding of the electromagnet 19, the other end of which is connected over the micro-switch 95 to the pluspole 95 of the source of current. The two other pairs of contacts constitute holding contacts, so that the electromagnets will receive current upon depression of the key 89, even if the latter is released. This is effected by the fact that the contacts ml and I92, when closed, short-circuit the contacts 9i and 93, while the contacts I95 and 195, when closed, short-circuit the contacts 99 and 93. When the type-actuating magnet '50 is energized so as to actuate the plate 12, the extension of the armature II will at the same time actuate the micro-switch 95, which breaks the current, as soon as the plate has moved sufficiently far. All movable members, the plates M, the bars 19 and the armatures 97 and 98, will thus be returned, actuated by springs, into their strokes, however, if the key is kept depressed after the key lever has received its movement, there is provided a locking device for the microswitch, so that the latter will be kept open, while the key 89 is depressed. This locking device consists of an armature 1,98 movable against the influence of a spring I01 and attracted by an electromagnet I99. Provided on the armature N18 is a pawl H9 arranged so as to lock the operating arm l-H of the micro-switch in its depressed position. In the drawing, the locking device is shown in its position of rest. The locking magnet 199 receives current, when the key contacts 9.2 and'93 are closed, whereby one end of the winding of the locking magnet is connected to the minus-pole 94 of the source of current, while the other end is constantly connectcd to the plus-pole 95. As long as the key is kept depressed, the micro-switch is thus kept open, in order then to take its closed position, as soon .as the key is released.

The other electromagnets comprised in the coordinate selector are connected with their groups of contacts in a corresponding way, as above described. Thus all pairs of contacts .corresponding to the contact pair 99-499 for the operation of the plates 14 are connected in parallel, which is shown diagrammatically in the horizontal row of six contact pairs designated by X. All contacts corresponding to the contact pair I93l94 are also connected in parallel, as shown diagrammatically by the row of contact pairs denoted by Y and extending at right angles to the pairs of contacts X.

A type lever receives its movement from .its corresponding key in the following manner. When the key is depressed, the circuits of the corresponding operating magnets for the Y- direction and the X-direction are closed, and the corresponding plate l4 and bar 19 are then operated so that the catches of the plate '14 are brought into engagement with the plate I l, while the corresponding hook ll of the bar 79 is brought into engagement with the bent-over edge 16 of the plate. At the same time, the contacts of the correspondingrelays .are operated, so that holding is established and the type-actuating magnet receives current. By the fact that this magnet is arranged for a retarded action, its movement will not take place, before the previously mentioned operating movements have been terminated, the plate 12 now pulling the plate 14, the hook H, and the cable 81 alon with it, whereby the type lever corresponding to the depressed key receives its movement toward the platen. As soon as the type-actuating magnet has terminated its movement, it will hit the micro-switch, which then breaks the current supply, whereupon the type-actuating magnet returns into its position of rest under the influence of resilient means, as is the case with all other members operated at this instance.

According to a form of embodiment of the present invention, the invention is arranged for the writing of cryptograms. This is effected by the fact that the two contacts 99 and 9| for each key are connected each with a switch H2 and H3, respectively, the contacts of which are connected to the various electromagnets for the X- and Y-directions. The contact 90 for a key is thus connected to the switch H2, the various contacts of which are connected to one end of the windings of the electromagnets 87, while the con tact 9| is connected to the switch I I3, the various positions of rest. In order to avoid double contacts of which are connected to one end of the windings of the electromagnets 85. Hereby each key may be connected to an arbitrarily selected X-magnet and an arbitrarilyseleoted'Y- magnet, it being thus possible to obtain a very great number of combinations, whereby deciphering of a cryptogram without a key is rendered very difficult.

The arrangement above described and illustrated in the drawings Only constitutes an example of embodiment, which may be varied in its details and construction, without the idea of the invention being departed from. For example, the mechanism is shown in the drawing in a vertical structure. In a preferred form of the invention, the mechanism is arranged horizontally, so that the movement of thetype-actuating magnet takes place in the horizontal direction. The various operating magnets and relays for the X- and Y-direction are grouped here about the sides of the cubicelly shaped mechanism. The catches of the plates are preferably directed alternately in different directions, a group of X- magnets with relays being thus mounted on one side and another group on the other side. Also, it is not necessary that the X-, Y-, and Z-directions form right angles with one another, inasmuch as they may also be comprised in an oblique-angled system of coordinates, even if it is more practical to make use of a right-angled system. The movement of the plate #2 is preferably effected by means of levers, which are secured at one end thereof to guides disposed in the four corners of the plate while bearing at the other end thereof on the armature of the type-actuating magnet. These lovers are pivottwo crossing directions, two groups of mechanical selecting devices, each selecting device of one group being associated with a row of operating 1 members in one direction and each selecting device of the other group being associated with a row of operating members in the crossing direction, an electromagnet associated with each, of the selecting devices of the first group for moving it from one position to another to bring the operating members associated with it into operative relation with the selecting devices of the second group, an actuating member common to all of the selecting devices of the second group, an electromagnet for operating said actuating member, an electromagnet associated with each of the selecting devices of the second group to move it from an inoperative position to an operative position in which it is actuated by operation of said common actuating member to operate any operating member that has been brought into operative relation to it by a selecting device of the first group, and electrical circuits including contacts controlled by said keys to energize an electromagnet for moving a selecting device of the first group, an electromagnet for moving a selecting device of the second group and the electromagnet of the actuating member each time a key is depressed, the mechanical selecting devices engagement with themechanical selecting devices of the second group.

'3.'An electrically operated typewriter according to claim 2,-in which the bars are provided with apertures through which the operating members extend.

4. An electrically operated typewriter according to claim 1, in which the operating members comprise hook-shaped members, which are pivotally and axially dispiaceably arranged in a stationary holder member.

5. An electrically operated typewriter according to claim 1, in which the plates are bent over at the edge thereof directed toward the operating members to form a gripping means for the operating members.

6. An electrically operated typewriter according to claim 1, in which each of the mechanical selecting'oievices of said second group is provided with catches to releasably engage said actuating member.

7. An electrically operated typewriter according to claim 1, provided with holding contacts operated by the electromagnets operating the selecting devices and short-circuiting those key-operated contacts that close the circuit of said electromagnets.

B. An electrically operated typewriter according to claim 1, provided with a switch adapted to be actuated by predetermined movement of the actuating member to open the electric circuit of said electromagnets so that all electromagnetic ally operated members will return to the position of rest.

9. An electrically operated typewriter according to claim 8, provided with a locking member electrically operated by current supplied by a contact at'each key to lock said switch open after the actuating member has performed its movement and until the key is released, whereby double strokes of the actuating member are avoided.

10. In an electrically operated typewriter, a keyboard having a plurality of keys, a plural ity of type levers, an operating member for operating each type lever, said operating members being arranged in a plurality of rows in each of two crossing directions, two groups of mechanical selecting devices, each selecting device of one group being associated with a row of operating members in one direction and each selecting device of the other group being associated with a row of operating members in the crossing direction, an electromagnet associated with each of'the selecting devices of the first group for moving it from one position to another to bring the operating members associated with it into operative relation with the selecting devices of the second group, an actuating member common to all of the selecting devices of the second group, an electromagnet for operating said actuating member, an electromagnet associated with each of the selecting devices of the I second group to move it from an inoperative posaid circuits including contacts controlled by each of said keys to supply current to'energize an electromagnet for moving a selecting device of the first group and an electromagnet of the second group and relays closed by the energizing of "said selectingdeviceelectromagnets to supply current to energize the electromagnet for moving the common actuating member.

. 11, An electrically operated typewriter according to claim 10, provided with a switch actuated by predetermined movement of the common actuating member to open the electric circuits of all of said electromagnets so that the selecting-devices and actuating member all return to their rest positions.

'12. An electrically operated typewriter according toclaim 10, provided with selecting switches connected into the circuit between the respective key contacts and the electromagnets for moving the selecting devices, whereby the contacts at each key may be connected to arbitrary selecting device electromagnets to make a cryptogram.

STURE EMANUEL sTALBEcKER.

10 STIG BER'I'H'OLD TIBBLING.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,283,147 Ohio Oct. 29, 1918 1,938,899 Gilman Dec. 12, 1933 1,962,864 Gilman June 12, 1934 

